The Acorn Foundation hosted the 2024 Outward Bound Scholarship celebration on Tuesday, 11 June at The Kollective in Tauranga acknowledging 14 students who will attend the Tangaroa Watch programme at Anakiwa in the South Island.

The scholarships are awarded annually to Year 12 students from local Western Bay of Plenty schools, plus Whakatāne High School.

2023 Outward Bound Scholarship winner Josh Hansen from Whakatāne High School, spoke at the event highlighting the impact the programme has had on his life over the last year, and how it has set him up for taking leadership roles in his community – including as Head Boy of his college.

Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford spoke of his appreciation at seeing successful programmes like Outward Bound supported by the Acorn Foundation to enrich the lives of local young people. Whilst several parents of the scholarship recipients spoke about how much their children had grown since completing the programme.

Acorn Foundation CEO, Lori Luke, says students are nominated by their schools and selected by Outward Bound staff members based on their commitment to their school and the community, with demonstrated financial need and an opportunity to improve their self-confidence.

“This is the eighth year that committed Acorn donors and other local supporters have provided these valuable scholarships to this 3-week programme that uses outdoor adventures and physical activities to build resilience, perseverance and communication skills which deliver life-long benefits.  It’s a privilege for us to be able to have such an impact on these students by awarding the scholarships.”

Congratulations to the 2024 scholarship winners:

• Katikati College: William Sutton and Ella Donoghue
• Ōtūmoetai College: Essence Soper and Mikaera Puru-Wilson
• Tauranga Boys’ College: Mangokaitipua Jackson and Te Ngakau August March
• Tauranga Girls’ College: Trelise Chote and Ashka Kerr Laing
• Whakatāne High School: Lucas Jensen and Alex Clarke
• Pāpāmoa College: Ava Buchanan and Arjon Marsden
• Te Puke High School: Riley Horton and Merenia Newton